Tuber digger and separator



Juy l0, E951 G. lNNEs 295599965 TUBER DIGGER AND SEPARATOR Filed Nov. 3, 1948 3 SheetS-Sheet l NUI lillilllillllllililllIllllllIHlllllll u Null Juny m, 1951 Q ,NNES 2,559,965

TUBER DIGGER AND SEPARATOR Filed Nov. 5, 1948 3 Sheets-SheerI 2 INVENTOR, 650265 INNES BY @uw HTTQNEVS Juy 30, 1951 G, INNES 25599965 TUBER DIGGER AND SEPARATQR Filed Nov. 3, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 10, 1951 TUBEE BIGGER AND SEPARATOR George Innes, Altadena, vlllalii. Application November 3, 1948, Serial No. 58,105

7 Claims. l

This invention relates to harvesting machinery and more particularly to harvesting machinery for tubers, such as potatoes and the like.

This invention contemplates a machine by which the tubers or potatoes are continuously dug from the earth, separated from their vines, and delivered into suitable receptacles, such as sacks or trucks, to be loaded.

Either-to there has been experienced considerable diiculty in mechanically harvesting potatoes or other tubers due to the tendency of the tubers to adhere to the vines. Such prior eiforts as have been made have generally related to attempts to separate the tubers from the vines by shaking the tubers from the vines.

This has required complicated and expensive machinery and has entailed considerable loss in harvesting due to the resistance of the tubers and vines to such separation.

It has also been proposed to strip the vines from potatoes by means of elements revolving adjacent the mixed vines and potatoes and having projections protruding therefrom. However, such expediente have been unsuccessful and impractical because of the tendency of the vines to tangle and twist around such revolving mechanism and eventually prevent its continuous operation.

It is accordingly one object of this invention to provide a mechanism for continuously harvesting potatoes and other tubers in which the tubers are continuously dug from the earth, separated from the vines, and delivered to a suitable receptacle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in the machine of the type described eicient and continuously operating mechanism for stripping the vines from the potatoes.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a harvesting machine of the type described in which the injury to the potato, during harvesting and handling, is reduced to a minimum.

It is a feature of this invention that the potatoes undergoing harvesting, together with their attached or mixed vines, are presented to a revolvable mechanism wherein the vines are separated from the potatoes by rubber or other resilient plastic material ngers, which lingers subsequently release the vines and are retracted so as not to be able to become fouled with the vines.

It is a further feature or" this invention that the vines, after undergoing a preliminary separation from the potatoes, are presented to a reciprocating mechanism which further separates any entrained potatoes.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent Vfrom the annexed specification in which:

Fig-ure -1 is a plan View of a harvester embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view of the harvester.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side section taken on the line 3-3 of lFigure 4 and showing a portion of the vine-stripping Aand walker mechanism.

Figure 4 is an enlarged Ysection taken on the line fil of Figure l, showing rotary drum vand. fingers employed in the present invention.

-Figure 5 is a section taken along the l-ine 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the harvester comprises a pair of laterally spaced frame members l@ and il, a front cross bar l2, and a pair of converging bars I3 and I4.

The bars i3 and ifi are connected to spaced plates l5 and i@ which are vbored to Yreceive a pivot pin il. Pivot pin il is adapted for removable connection with a front dolly i8 comprising a pair of spaced wheels t9 and 20, an axle 2I, and a pair of arms 22 and 23 secured together as at 2t, forming a yoke. An upstanding plate 26 is provided having a bearing therein `to receive a power shaft 2l.

The tongue just described is, of course, adapted to be secured to a suitable source of traction power, such as a tractor, and the shaft 2l is adapted to be secured to a power take-oli" on the tractor for purposes hereinafter described.

The frame of the harvester is provided With other ,suitable cross pieces, and adjacent -the rear end thereof a T bar 3) is secured ,to a rpair `of depending brackets 3l attached to the under side of the beams l@ and li. A pair of channels 32 is attached to the T bar .it and carries in a suitable manner a pair of rear wheels y33 and 34. The Wheels 33 and 34 are preferably vdisposed at a small included angle to the vertical, as indicated in Figure .1, so that they are provided with considerablecamber. This is for the .purpose of accommodating the space between the `wheels to the conventional space between the rows yof potatoes and yet aording the desirable width to the harvester.

A pair of brackets 35 is provided, one on the underside of eachor" the framemembers `lll and H and a shaft 35 is vjournaled therein. Angle bars 31 and 38 are rigidly securedv to theshaft 3 36 on either side of the harvester and plates 39 and 40 are rigidly secured to the shaft 36 adjacent the center of the harvester.

A pair of brackets 4| and 42 is provided, one rigidly connected to the angle 31 and the other rigidly connected to the angle 38, and a shaft 43 is journaled therein.

An arm 44 has its lower end aflixed to the angle 31 and a similar arm extends upwardly from the angle 38. These arms are pivoted as at 45 to a link 46. A link 41 is pivoted as at 48 to the arms 44 and at their lower ends the links 41 are provided with rollers 48a engaging the underside of the arms 44. The link 46 is pivotally connected as at 49 to a short crank arm 59. A post is provided on the frame on which is mounted a hand wheel 52. The hand wheel 52 has a hub 53, and a post 54 is also mounted upon the frame on which is mounted a wheel or pulley 55. A belt 56 extends around the pulley 55 and the hubA 53, as clearly indicated in Figure 2. The arm 50 is rigidly secured to the hub 51 of the wheel 52. A lever 59 is pivoted as at 60 on the frame and has a foot treadle 6| on one end thereof. The other end thereof engages a shaft 62 adapted to carry a suitable pawl mechanism or .the like for dogging the hand wheel 52.

Extending from the angle irons 31 or 38 to the 4plates 39 or 40 at the front end thereof is a pair of digging blades 64 and 65, and upwardly extending from the angle arms 31 and 38 are side frame members 66, 61, and 68. Similar side frame members are provided and formed integrally with the plates 39 and 40. Mounted between the plate members 61 on a shaft 10 journaled therein is a pair of sprocket wheels 1|, and journaled in arms 12, which are affixed, respectively, to the angles 31 and 38 and plates 39 and 40, is a shaft i3. Each shaft 13 carries a pair of sprocket wheels 14. Journaled in an upstanding bearing 15, formed upon the bracket 4|, is a shaft 16 on which is mounted a pair of sprocket wheels 11.

A strut 18 extends from the T bar 30 to the frame members |0 or on either side of the `harvester and an angle bar 19, bent upwards as at 80, extends from the strut 18 to the frame member i0 or on either side. Journaled in a bearing 8 formed upon each strut 18, is a shaft 82, and the shaft 82 is provided with sprockets S3.

At the rear of each of the frame members lil and there is provided a bearing 84 in which is journaled a shaft 85 upon which is mounted the sprockets 85. An endless chain 81 is provided mounted upon the sprockets as indicated, and it will be appreciated that there is such a chain for each of the series of sprockets. Between the various chains there extend outstanding bars 88, thus forming an open framework conveyer belt. As will be apparent from Figure 1, there are two of such conveyer belts indicated generally as at 90 and 9|.

A pair of posts 93 and 94 are provided on the framework, and a shaft 95 operably connected with the shaft 21 is journaled therein and carries a sprocket upon which is mounted a chain 96. A plurality of arms 91 extend outwardly from the frame member l0, as shown in Figure 1, and a shaft 98 is j ournaled therein carrying a sprocket also engaging the chain 96. The rear end of the shaft 98 is provided with a gear box 99 which transmits power to a stub shaft |00, upon which is mounted a sprocket engaging a. chain Il, which chain |0| engages a sprocket keyed to the shaft 85, thus transmitting power to the shaft 85 and the sprockets 6, and driving the endless chain belts 90 and 9|.

Mounted between the side frame members 68 is a vine-separating mechanism which is most clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4. This vineseparating mechanism comprises a drum |05 mounted on shafts |06 and |01 journaled in the side plates 68. The shafts |06 and |01 extend through the end walls |08 and |09 of the drum and carry on their inner ends crank arms ||0 and Between the two crank arms ||0 and I is a shaft I2 journaled therein and the shaft ||2 carries a plurality of fingers ||3, formed of rubber or other resilient and plastic material. The drum |05 is provided with a corresponding plurality of openings I4 through which the rubber fingers I3 extend. The shaft |66 is provided with a bearing 5, and on its extreme end there is mounted a sprocket engaging a chain H6, which chain ||6 is connected with the sprocket (not shown) mounted upon the shaft 85, thus providing power to the drum |05. A chain ||1 is .also mounted on a sprocket on the shaft |06 and engages a sprocket mounted upon the shaft ||8. The shaft ||8 carries another sprocket which in turn engages a chain |19, which chain ||9 also engages a sprocket mounted upon the shaft |20. The shaft ||9 is mounted between the plates 68 as shown, and has keyed thereto a star wheel I2 Similarly, the shaft |20 is thus mounted and has :eyed thereto a star wheel |22.

As indicated in Figure 3, the star wheel |2| is spaced slightly above and beyond the drum |05, and similarly the star wheel |22 is spaced slightly above and beyond the star wheel I2 In operation, as the harvester is drawn through a potato bed by means of the tractor and power applied by means of the shaft 21, the blades 64 and 65 will uproot the potatoes, vines and clods, and transfer the same to the endless belts and 9|. lI'he endless belts 90 and 9|, being of the open framework type, permit loose soil to drop therethrough. But the accumulated vines, clods, rocks and potatoes will be passed by the endless belts 90 and 9| to the region of the drum |05. The drum |05 is revolved by means of the shaft |96, a crank arm H0 and fingers H3, and as it revolves, the fingers are continuously extended through the openings ||4 when th-e fingers are in the lower portion of their travel and withdrawn into the interior of the drum when they are in the upper portion of their travel, due to the fact that the pivot point of the fingers is eccentric to the axis of the drum |05. Thus the fingers will engage the vines and cause the same to be transferred upwardly, dropping the potatoes therefrom back on to the endless chains 90 and 9|. From the drum |95 and lingers H3 the vines will be transferred to the star wheel |2| and thence to the star wheel |22. From the star wheel |22 the vines will be dropped on to the walkers. As shown most clearly in Figure 3, the walkers are disposed transversely of the harvester in a section below the star wheel |22, and comprise a plurality of notched plates |25 having their upper peripheries staggered as shown in Figure 6. vThe plates |25 are carried by an axle |26, from which crank arms |21 extend at varying angles to engage bearings |26 upon which the plates |25 are mounted. The other end of the plates |25 is carried by crank arms |29, which crank arms |29 are similarly disposed at angles to each other, and. extend from shafts |30 to bearings |3| mounted upon the various plates |25. The shaft |26 is driven as by the gear box |32 which is in Vturn driven by the chain |33 from a suitable source of power.

Vines spilling from the star wheel |22 will drop senting harvested tubers and vines to a conveyor the improvement comprising: a vine stripper associated with said conveyor and including a rotatable drum, apertures in said drum, resilient iingers disposed within said drum and mounted eccentrically thereof for alternate retraction into and extension out of said apertures on rotation of said drum; a vine slinger adapted to receive vines from said stripper and having the shape of a star wheel; a Walker disposed transversely of said frame and comprising spaced serrated plates mounted for rocking movement; said walker being disposed to receive vines from said vine slinger and shake any tubers remaining thereon loose from said vines and through said spaced plates; a conveyor having a portion disposed beneath said walker adapted to receive tubers falling between said spaced plates; and a second conveyor mounted transversely of said frame adapted to receive tubers from said last mentioned conveyor, said second conveyor having a portion mounted for vertical adjustment of its discharge end.

5. In a tuber harvester of the type employing a digging blade mounted on a frame and presenting harvested tubers and vines to a conveyor the improvement comprising: a vine stripper associated with said conveyor and including a rotatable drum, apertures in said drum, resilient fingers disposed within said drum and mounted eccentrically thereof for alternate retraction into and extension out of said apertures on rotation of said drum; a vine slinger adapted to receive vines from said stripper and including a pair of spaced star wheels; a walker disposed transversely of said frame and comprising spaced serrated plates mounted for rocking movement; said walker being disposed to receive vines from said vine slinger and shake any tubers remaining thereon loose from said vines and through said spaced plates; and a conveyor having a portion disposed beneath said walker adapted to receive tubers falling between said spaced plates.

6. In a tuber harvester of the type employing a digging blade mounted on a frame and presenting harvested tubers and vines to a conveyor the improvement comprising: a vine stripper associated with said conveyor and including a rotatable drum, apertures in said drum, resilient fingers disposed within said drum and mounted eccentrically thereof for alternate retraction into and extension out of said apertures on rotation of said drum; a vine slinger adapted to receive vines from said stripper and including vNumber Vtransversely of said frame and comprising spaced serrated plates mounted for rocking movement; said walker being disposed to receive vines from said vine slinger andshake any tubers remain- "ing thereon loose from said vines and through said spaced plates; a conveyor having a portion disposed beneath said walker adapted to receive tubers falling between said spaced plates; and a second conveyor mounted transversely of said frame adapted to'receive tubers from said last mentioned conveyor.

7. In a tuber harvester of the type employing a digging blade mounted on a frame and presenting harvested tubers and vines to a conveyor the improvement comprising: a vine stripper associated with said conveyor and including a rotatable drum, apertures in said drumhresilient fingers disposed within said drum and mounted eccentrically thereof for alternate retraction into and extension out of said apertures on rotation of said drum; a vine slinger adapted to receive vines from said stripper and including a pair of spaced star wheels; a walker disposed transversely of said frame and comprising spaced serrated plates mounted for rocking movement; said Walker being disposed to receive vines from said vine slinger and shake any tubers remaining thereon loose from said vines and through said spaced plates; a conveyor having a portion disposed beneath said walker adapted to receive tubers falling between said spaced plates; and a second conveyor mounted transversely of said frame adapted to receive tubers from said last mentioned conveyor, said second conveyor having a portion mounted for vertical adjustment of its discharge end.

GEORGE' INNES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Name Date 1,164,163 Blair Dec. 14, 1915 1,371,519 Roosa Mar. 15, 1921 1,789,527 Larinan Jan. 20, 1931 2,209,282 Rodin July 23, 1940 2,424,148 Carelock July 15, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 483,304 Germany Sept. 30, 1929 

